06.06.06
Cornwall's own potato mountain

A potato mountain made from Cornish Early new potatoes was featured at the Royal Cornwall Show and was sold off bit by bit to show goers.

More than a ton of the dirty little spuds, grown only in the far west of Cornwall, was piled high as a central feature of the Penwith Producers' stand in the WFU Food and Farming Marquee.

Distinguishing characteristics of Cornish Early potatoes are the sweet taste, delicate dust-like skin and that they're sold 'deliciously dirty' to protect their texture until ready to cook. At the Royal Cornwall Show visitors were able to buy a bag of the spuds for just £2, taken directly from the potato mountain and pick up a new edition of the Deliciously Dirty booklet packed with Cornish Early information and recipes.

"The potatoes will be taking centre stage on Penwith's stand," said Penwith District Councillor Adrian Semmens. "This crop is a true speciality food and is a very important crop for Penwith growers. Its popularity with chefs and consumers has soared in recent years, so we're expecting lots of interest at the Royal Cornwall Show."

The potato mountain was complemented by a massive banner picturing and naming the people who grow and support the Cornish Early crop. For more details about Cornish Early potatoes visit www.deliciouslydirty.co.uk.

For further information please contact Veronica Newport at NPR on 01363 866927 or email: veronica@n-pr.co.uk.

The Objective One Programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly has invested in Taste of the West through the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF).

Anyone considering a new horticulture, food and land based industries project is advised to speak with Martin Butler at Government Office South West on 01752 635134 before commencing development as there are now only limited funds available due to the successful uptake of funding by the agricultural sector in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

Editor's notes:

A variety of photography is available, ranging from harvest and product shots to recipe images.

Penwith Business Centre, with support from Penwith District Council and Taste of the West Cornwall, is driving the countywide campaign to promote the Cornish Early new potato. The objective is to create a demand for the potato amongst trade (restaurants and hoteliers) and consumers, supporting the efforts of Penwith's producers and demonstrating the potential of the market for growth.

Taste of the West in Cornwall is a £5million Objective One gateway project, funded by the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF), the Department for Food, Environment and Rural Affairs (Defra) and private matched funding. It is part of the Taste of the West regional food group. Taste of the West's Cornwall project includes a trade development programme, a marketing grant scheme and a capital grants scheme, available to small and medium sized food businesses which produce, sell or process foods in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. For more information log on to www.cornwalltasteofthewest.co.uk.

Clare Morgan
Media Relations Manager
Objective One Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Mobile: 07973 813647
Telephone: 01872 223439

cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk

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